Third Congressional District Student Art Competition Is Now Open For 2008 Entries
January 14, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Charlie Melancon (D-LA) announced the opening of the 2008 Third Congressional District Art Competition for high school students from south Louisiana. The winning artwork from the Third District will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year along with other winning entries from across the country. The Grand Prize winner also receives a renewable $5,000 per year scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design, and will be flown to Washington, D.C., on June 25, 2008, to attend an awards ceremony.

Last year’s winner was Morgan Smith, a recent graduate of South Lafourche High School. Her piece, entitled “Bringing the Music Back,” has been proudly displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the past year.

“The Congressional Art Competition allows us to share the great talent and hope of our youth in south Louisiana with visitors to the U.S. Capitol,” said Rep. Melancon. “While I have truly enjoyed seeing Morgan’s great work displayed for the past year, I am excited for this year’s competition and the inspirational art our students will create.  I encourage all high school students to consider submitting a piece of original work.”

Rep. Melancon’s district staff will host the final judging of the competition on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at the Ascension Parish Library, Gonzales Branch, located at 708 S. Irma Blvd, Gonzales, Louisiana.  The judging will occur from 10:00-10:30am, followed by a public viewing and awards presentation from 10:30-12:00pm.

The nationwide art competition, which is voluntarily sponsored by Members of Congress, provides young student artists with an opportunity to showcase their work locally, as well as the chance to be recognized at the national level for their talent and creativity.

The Congressional Arts Competition began in 1982 to give creative students the chance to have their talents recognized nationwide. Since then, more than 650,000 students have participated in the competition and the works of thousands of young American artists have been showcased in a passageway to the Capitol.

For more information, including the student artwork release form and other important instructions, please click here.

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